. >> ifill: even before the senators had their say, former congresswoman gabrielle giffords stepped up to the microphone to make a brief and halting plea. >> speaking is difficult but i need to say something important. violence is a big problem. too many children are dying. too many children. we must do something. you must act. be bold, be courageous. americans are counting on you. >> ifill: giffords was shot in the head two years ago as she met with constituents in tucson, arizona. six others were killed that day. giffords and her husband, former astronaut mark kelly have now launched their own campaign for tougher gun laws. capitalizing on the public outcry that followed december's mass shooting at an elementary school in newtown, connecticut. >> after 20 kids and six of their teachers were gunned down in their classrooms at sandy hook, we said, this time must be different. something needs to be done. we are simply two reasonable americans who have said enough. >> ifill: but at today's hearings, national rifle association vice president wayne lapierre pushed back insisting that the r